Nigerian international, Victor Moses has revealed how former internationals Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu talked him into choosing Nigeria over England, especially after he was ignored by England coaches when he needed them most.
Moses played for England from Under-16 to U-21 level and was tipped by former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan to be one of England ’s finest. But unfortunately, former England manager Fabio Capello had little or no interest in him.
Moses who was named the Player of the Tournament at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa following his spectacular display, said “I played all through the age levels for England and when Nigeria first asked, I wanted to concentrate on my club football....
“Nigeria asked again and it just seemed like the right thing to do. Jay-Jay Okocha and Kanu encouraged me as well before I started playing for Nigeria and it was great to speak to two legends of the country.”
Moses has yet to recover from the excitement of winning the AFCON. He said, “It was amazing to win the tournament. We did it for the nation. It means so much to everyone in Nigeria and it was great for me as well.
“Growing up in Nigeria, football was obviously a lot different. We just played on the streets, often on bare feet, and you used anything you could for a football. There were no facilities or teams. So it was a lot different when I came to England.
“It took me a little while to get used to playing organised games, on proper pitches with all the gear.”
“Nigeria asked again and it just seemed like the right thing to do. Jay-Jay Okocha and Kanu encouraged me as well before I started playing for Nigeria and it was great to speak to two legends of the country.”
Moses has yet to recover from the excitement of winning the AFCON. He said, “It was amazing to win the tournament. We did it for the nation. It means so much to everyone in Nigeria and it was great for me as well.
“Growing up in Nigeria, football was obviously a lot different. We just played on the streets, often on bare feet, and you used anything you could for a football. There were no facilities or teams. So it was a lot different when I came to England.
“It took me a little while to get used to playing organised games, on proper pitches with all the gear.”
